The al-Dhahab family is considered an ally of al Qaida, which is now chiefly concentrated in Bayda province.

A third family member, Tarek al-Dhahab, was killed in a previous US drone strike several years ago. It was not immediately clear whether the family members were actual members of al Qaida.

The US troops killed or wounded some two dozen men, including some Saudis present at the site, according to the Yemeni officials.

An official with al Qaida confirmed the killings, describing the attack as a "massacre" and saying that women and children had been killed as well, although he provided no evidence to back his claim.

He said Apache attack helicopters struck the area from the air before dropping commandos in for the raid, which took place near Yakla village in Radaa district.

Just over a week ago, suspected US drone strikes killed three other alleged al Qaida operatives in Bayda province in what was the first-such killings reported in the country since Mt Trump assumed the presidency.